5.5 inch senko

[Bandersnatch]

For the most part the five inch will get more bites than the six inch. With that said, the six inch is much more forgiving on casting gear and getting into tough spots while skipping. Has anybody messed with cutting the six inch down to have a slightly smaller presentation such has 5.5 inch. Which end would you cut? Thoughts ?

[softwateronly]

 I cut up beat up ones for finesse jigs and keep the tail portion, but that's also my only option. ?‍♂️

 

scott

[FishTank]

I use both the 6in and 5in on a regular bases.  I like the 6in wacky rigged better than I do the 5in but I like 5in better for a regular Texas rig.  As far as cutting the 6in down, I have trimmed mine at the head on multiple occasions after they have ripped and they have worked great. I use either a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG and when I throw the 6in, it's usually weightless. 

[Bankbeater]

I fish with a weightless 6" on a baitcaster, and a weightless 4" on spinning tackle.  When the 6" starts getting really beat up I trim it down and fish it on the spinning tackle.  There are times when the 6" size out catches the 4" size.

[Mike L]

Whenever I use a stick bait most times it’s a 6”. No difference in numbers or quality using one 1/2” smaller. 
IF I need a 4” which can make a difference, I’ll just use a few that I bit off the head from that I keep in inventory. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike
 

[FishTank]

Another thought on this that might be more cost effective.... To me nothing compares to the original Senko in the 5in but the Berkley General might come close.  It comes in a 5.25 size. It's just slightly bigger overall than the regular 5in Senko.  I am not sure how they compare in weight but on the fall General is slightly slower.... so for shallow water it's not bad. 

[TOXIC]

Personally, I don’t cut them down.  If I want either more or less bulk in a weightless application that the Senko lineup (regular/slim/pro) can’t satisfy, I go with the kut tail, Cali Roll or Ika series and sizes.  I feel like in a weightless application, cutting them affects the action.  Put a weight on any of them and cut to whatever size you want.

[Aaron_H]

If you are willing to branch out from the Yamamotos, the BPS Stik-O comes in 5 3/8" which would be right in your sweet spot. Looking at underwater footage I cannot personally tell the difference in fall rate/action between it and the Senko, it has been my stick bait of choice for about five years now and has produced some excellent fish. Zero issues throwing it weightless on a baitcaster, as well. I think the 30 packs are on sale right now for around $8.

[JustJames]

 By the 2nd-3rd fish my 5” Senko become 4-4.5” if one Senko last me to 3” I would be happy camper. Meaning I trim my Senko all the time, I don’t see why It wouldn’t work in your case. I always trim the thicker part first unless it is too damage then I would alternate to the tail part.

[WRB]

1 remember chatting with Gary Yamamoto while visiting Don Iovino in Don’s garage. Gary told us he was playing around making a Sluggo type jerk bait and used a ball point pen for a experimental mold shape and loaded the plastic with heavy salt. The result was a poor jerk bait but for some reason killed bass on the fall weightless. Just cast a Senko and let it sink.

Who did that unless you were picking out a backlash.

I used 3” and 4” hand pour sluggo on a drop shot and 5”, 6” & 7” Senko’s weightless wacky hooked. Don’t like to cut any worm shorter with the exception of cutting off 1/4 for wacky hooked nail worms to stand up better. 

Tom

[Basseditor]

I use a weightless 6" Senko for pitching rather than a jig in some pretty heavy cover and around docks. It pitches easily, even on 20 or 25-pound flouro and really works in over-fished areas. The 5-inch is my wacky favorite though. I do catch more on the 6-inch, but more likely because of location.

[Boomstick]

I definitely throw a 5" more than a 6" because as a general statement I gravitate more towards a jig over a 6" senko. 6" senkos do have a notable advantage over a jig though as they don't pick up as much of the cover when fished in heavier cover.

[BrianMDTX]

I use a 5” Senko for WR, but lately have had more success when using a TR with 4” Senkos. 

[Bird]

Use the 5" for wacky and weightless TR, To much inventory not to. Lol 

Use mostly ZinkerZ but when they lose salt they float so go to a wacky jig or nail weight.

 

I've not cut a stick bait as of yet.

[Tatulatard]

Might be a good time for new casting gear if it is struggling with 3/8 oz. 

[Bandersnatch]

8 hours ago, Tatulatard said:

Might be a good time for new casting gear if it is struggling with 3/8 oz. 

Conquest 783c with a steez ct sv… A five inch senko doesn’t skip well on even that combo. Sure, you can cast it at Lilly pads but when you need to get it where others can’t it’s difficult without the weight of bigger than five inch senko 

[JustJames]

1 hour ago, Bandersnatch said:

Conquest 783c with a steez ct sv… A five inch senko doesn’t skip well on even that combo. Sure, you can cast it at Lilly pads but when you need to get it where others can’t it’s difficult without the weight of bigger than five inch senko 

Have you tried Fatika, it will catch as many or even more fish as Senko and can skip pretty well. I actually fish Fatika the way I fish Senko, hummm maybe other way around lol. 

[BrianMDTX]

54 minutes ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Have you tried Fatika, it will catch as many or even more fish as Senko and can skip pretty well. I actually fish Fatika the way I fish Senko, hummm maybe other way around lol. 

I like the Fat IKA, but I fish it as a weightless TR (heavy enough to cast on its own). I don’t think it would make a good WR bait. 

[JustJames]

4 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I like the Fat IKA, but I fish it as a weightless TR (heavy enough to cast on its own). I don’t think it would make a good WR bait. 

Senko does not always mean wacky rig. I thought we are talking the plastic not technique.

[BrianMDTX]

3 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

Senko does not always mean wacky rig. I thought we are talking the plastic not technique.

I added that as many use a Senko as a WR bait. I also use the Neko Macho a lot, which can be fished as a weightless TR, Neko rig or a simple WR. But not the Fat IKA.